But federal law limits the amount of time a nominee can serve in an acting position.
So the Obama administration had to name someone else as director.

"We are working expeditiously to resubmit Dr. Roubideaux’s nomination," a spokesperson for HHS said today. "While her re-nomination is under consideration, Dr. Roubideaux will serve as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary for American Indians and Alaska Natives."

Just last week, Roubideaux announced the agency's fiscal year 2016 budget. It requests a record $5.1 billion, a 9.9 percent increase over the 2015 level.

"This proposal reflects the administrations continuing commitment to improve access to healthcare for American Indians and Alaska Natives," Roubideaux said on a conference call with reporters.

The budget also includes a proposal to fund contract support costs on a
permanent basis, starting in fiscal year 2017. The U.S. Supreme Court has
repeatedly ruled that the IHS must fully fund self-determination contracts,
including additional support costs owed to tribes.

"If enacted by Congress, this change is a long-term solution that will
continue the policy to fully fund contract support costs, make new investments
to ensure program integrity, and protect the health care services budget," the
document states.

The Obama administration will consult tribes as it moves forward with the
proposal. Contract support costs are funded at $718 million, an increase of $55
million, in the budget.